Racing: Hallmark Stud snares Super Easy

Super Easy: Recorded his third Group One victory last month in the Patron's Bowl at Kranji, but injury subsequently forced his retirement at the height of his powers.

SINGAPORE - Singapore star and multiple Group One winner Super Easy will begin the second phase of his career at Hallmark Stud.

The Te Kauwhata farm has moved quickly to secure the services of the high-class New Zealand-bred stallion following his recent retirement.

"We're extremely excited to have snared him in the face of hot competition and great to have the first son of Darci Brahma to go to stud," studmaster Mark Baker said. "He's a top-class sire who is doing a great job. He's also the leading sire in Singapore and has a very good reputation in Hong Kong.

"Super Easy will be syndicated. We've had a huge response and have got some very prominent New Zealand breeders already on board."

Super Easy recorded his third Group One victory last month in the Patron's Bowl at Kranji, but injury subsequently forced his retirement at the height of his powers.

He began his juvenile career in New Zealand with a track record-breaking win over 1,000m on debut at Trentham where he beat subsequent Group One winner and NZ Filly of the Year Planet Rock in 56.20.

He was then runner-up in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes and fourth in the Listed Karaka Million.

Super Easy lived up to his name during his three-year-old season in Singapore with 11 straight victories, including six at stakes level.

He claimed the Singapore Triple Crown, which culminated in his win in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas.

"His Guineas win emphasised just what a tough and genuine racehorse he was," Baker said. "He was down on the fence and three back. To bullock his way out and win was massive.

"It's easy to understand why he was a cult figure there. We remember him as a yearling at Karaka and he was an outstanding individual who we've tracked ever since."

Super Easy subsequently added the Group 1 Lion City Cup to his record and was placed in the Group 1 International Kris Flyer Sprint and the Group 2 Stewards' Cup before his farewell victory in the Patron's Bowl.

He retired as the winner of 15 of his 23 starts from 1,000m-1,600m and was the champion three-year-old and Horse of the Year in 2012.

His earnings topped NZ$2.3m ($2.27m).

"He was a hugely talented and unique racehorse," trainer Michael Freedman said. "He is a stunningly beautiful horse with great strength and balance. Everything he did was with complete ease. Much of this can be attributed to his incredible temperament.

"He had the unique ability to run amazing sectionals and his turn of foot was something we don't see often.

"He retires as a track record breaking two-year-old, an undefeated champion three-year-old and a multiple Group One winning four-year-old.

"You add this to his pedigree, speed, turn of foot and physique and he has every chance of making a top sire. I can't wait to be at the sales and see his progeny - I'll certainly be there with bells on."

By Danehill's Group One producing son Darci Brahma, Super Easy is out of the Gold Brose mare Parfore, who also the dam of top Australian sprinter Tiger Tees and the stakes winner Our Lucas.

"Ironically, we tried to buy Gold Brose a few years ago so this all makes a perfect fit at Hallmark," Baker said.

It is also the family of champion New Zealand juvenile Il Quello Veloce and current sprinting star Mosse and one that has come to the attention of global breeding giant Coolmore Stud.

They recently purchased Super Easy's half-sister Frustrating, a daughter of Stravinsky, for A$450,000 ($521,000).